Jon Blaisdell
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
"Real life isn't like what you see on TV or in the movies. Ideally, I would have finished my degree years ago, but that didn't happen." So says Jon Blaisdell, 30, who lives in Weymouth, Massachusetts, where he just bought a condo with his new wife and his son. "I became a father about a month before I graduated high school. Throughout the years, I was a yo-yo student.
"However, I managed to accumulate credits and sample different academic venues," he says. "I started out at the traditional brick and mortar college, and then went to off-campus weekend cohorts. Ultimately, both settings didn't have the flexibility that my life demanded."
So what made Blaisdell decide to pursue his degree? "I found work as an elementary school janitor. Not the career I envisioned as a kid, but it paid the bills. At that time I had taken a hiatus from college; I was discouraged that my life seemed to interfere too much with my educational goals. I found myself listening to audio books to pass the time while I worked. I listened to a psychology course and was hooked. I needed to go back to school. I had a passion and needed to find a school that allowed me way to pursue it." His passion for education, and his need for a school that fit his schedule, led Blaisdell to choose Ashford University
"At first I was concerned with accreditation. I did my due diligence making sure that I chose schools were reputable. Ashford fit the bill," he says. "After accreditation, Ashford University's online asynchronous format was the key. And I'll admit, I was a little intimidated with the prospect of five-week classes. My son, who is in the sixth grade, can't believe I read a whole text book in a month! Quite frankly I can't either. But the intensive approach allows me to dive in to a subject without distractions from other classes and other assignments coming due."
Now Blaisdell is on track to graduate with his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2009. And he has already begun to think about his new life after graduation. "I am in the process of applying to graduate schools. I am looking at doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology. My goals for the future are to split my time between teaching and counseling.
"I hope that my journey with Ashford inspires my son to find a love for education," says Blaisdell. "I had to learn the hard way that education without passion is listless and dull. I hope to share the excitement of humanity, and instill in him an unquenchable curiosity."
Blaisdell reports that he is proud of his accomplishments, and cannot believe how much his life has changed. "Just a few years ago, I was looking for a 'piece of paper.' Now I am developing expertise. I thank Ashford for allowing me to take my education on my terms, thus personalizing the journey, and solidifying my passion in education and psychology."